01.04.2024

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Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

📸 Oh snap

Try this: AVLtoday’s Picture of the Year contest

View of a purple and pink sky with red and orange fall trees.

We always appreciate a good sunset pic. | Photo by AVLtoday

Anyone else still writing 2023 instead of 2024? Last year left a lasting impression + we want to commemorate it the best way we know how — through our inaugural AVLtoday Picture of the Year contest.

Between our newsletter and Instagram, you’ve already seen tons of our photos, so we want to see (and share) some of yours — and give a prize for the winning shot. Here’s everything you need to know to participate.

The rules + details:

Photo submissions are open today through Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m. You are allowed to submit up to five photos, but each must have been taken by you during 2023. To sweeten the pot, anyone who submits a photo will receive 20% discount to use in our online marketplace, Six & Main.

Photo submissions must include a visual element that directly connects to Asheville. Examples include a photo from a local sporting event, music performance, festival, or other 2023 happening; a picture taken at a local park; or a shot that highlights a landmark in our city. Photos that do not include a local element will not be considered. Additionally, photos that include nudity or offensive language or visuals will not be accepted.

Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in the newsletter on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and you, our readers, will have the chance to vote for AVLtoday’s 2023 Picture of the Year. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30 and will receive a $25 gift card to use at Six & Main.

Want some inspo from some of the best photographers in the world? Check out National Geographic’s 2023 Pictures of the Year.

Make a submission

Events

Thursday, Jan. 4

Qigong with Allen Horowitz | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Fairview Public Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview | Free | People of all fitness levels can flow through standing movements to help improve balance and relaxation.
Lord of the Rings Trivia | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 7-10 p.m. | Bold Rock Asheville, 39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Don your elf ears and grab your (fake) swords to celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien Day by showing off your knowledge of all things Middle Earth.
Pleasure Principles with Brandon Manitoba | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 8 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | Free | Groove along to new wave, dark disco, and 80s tunes with the resident DJ on the first Thursday of every month.

Friday, Jan. 5

2024 January Community Farm Tour | Friday, Jan. 5 | 2-4:30 p.m. | SAHC Community Farm, 180 Mag Sluder Rd., Alexander | $0-$10 | Join this moderate hike to explore the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s educational + working farm — registration is required.
The Avanti Guitar Trio | Friday, Jan. 5 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15-$20 | Settle in for an evening of classical guitar from the chamber ensemble, with everything from original compositions to rock, pop, and jazz.

Saturday, Jan. 6

2024 Vision Board Workshop | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 2-4 p.m. | Happy Body, 25 Reed St., Ste. 210, Asheville | $35 | Begin with a guided meditation and discussion before getting creative and visualizing your goals.
Home Barista Workshop | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 3-5 p.m. | Coffee Curious Workshops, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | $125 | Dial in and learn how to pull the perfect espresso shot, froth and pour milk, and keep your machine clean.

Sunday, Jan. 7

Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $20-$23 | Jam out to your favorite tracks from the iconic rock legends performed by this cover band.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Buncombe County Election Services will mail new voter cards beginning mid-January. If you don’t receive a card, make sure your registration information is correct. You can update your voter registration information online through Friday, Feb. 9 or in person through same-day voter registration during early voting.

Community

What’s good in the neighborhood? The City of Asheville opened applications for its Neighborhood Grant Matching program. Fourteen community projects will be awarded up to $5,000 matching volunteer time, fundraising, and in-kind donations. Learn more at the Monday, Feb. 19 workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center.

Civic

Buncombe County residents using Waste Pro services will now pay $23.66 per month, an increase from the 2023 rate of $22.55. The price increases were in accordance with Waste Pro’s contract and didn’t need County approval. In November, the county decided to search for a new provider, issuing a request for proposal yesterday, Jan. 3.

Arts

Don’t miss your chance to see the Romare Bearden: Ways of Working exhibit during its final weeks at the Asheville Art Museum. See the artist’s works that span mediums like lithography, collage, and screenprinting. The exhibit runs through Monday, Jan. 22.

Eat

Chefs Katie Button, J Chong, Steve Goff, and Suzy Phillips dished out their thoughts on Asheville’s food scene in 2023. Find out which spots they were heartbroken to see go, their most popular dishes, and what they’re excited to see open up. (Mountain Xpress)

Number

17.5 million. That’s how many meals MANNA FoodBank provided from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, according to its latest annual report. The organization served an average of 137,169 people per month, but the nonprofit still needs your support in helping end food insecurity in WNC. Find out how you can get involved.

Fun Fact

Did you know 53,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky AVL survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.

Arts

Adaptive reuse is the art of preserving a building’s historic architecture while updating it for modern life. This creative rehabilitation requires a delicate touch, especially when adapting gallery or museum spaces. See the stunning transformations in Asheville that earned Altura Architects a Griffin Award from the City Preservation Society.*

Concert

A swinging time at Citizen Vinyl

Citizen Vinyl introduces a new jazz music series, Citizen Swing

Hear jazz pianist Thomson Knowles at Citizen Swing on Wednesday, Feb. 7. | Photo via Citizen Vinyl

Ya like jazz? Whether you’re already a fan of the genre or you’re looking to expand your musical horizons, Citizen Vinyl is introducing a new music series for you to experience. Citizen Swing, a twice-monthly jazz night, will present performances from local artists — accompanied by classic cocktails.

The free series kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 10 with sets from Connor Law and Reggie Headen. Arrive at 6 p.m. to hear old jazz vinyl before the musicians take the stage at 7 p.m. Find additional upcoming dates of performances from Adam Rose, Thomson Knoles, and Will Boyd.

The Buy

The Buy 1.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Pvolve’s signature equipment bundle, so you can try the at-home functional fitness method that has proven results and a Clinical Advisory Board. Fun fact: Jennifer Aniston liked it so much, she joined the company.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

I’m so excited to see everyone’s submissions for our Picture of the Year contest. While looking through my photos for my favorite Asheville snapshots, I realized that my camera roll is ~90% photos of my dog — so I’ll spare you all the competition since she could easily take the crown.

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